British Athletics has defended the kit, saying that the Union Jack remains an important part of the GB team kit, adding that the inclusion of the team logo will help to create a "strong team identity".

A number of present and former Team GB stars, including Dame Kelly Holmes, have since backed the star, who won gold on Super Saturday at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Dame Kelly, who is an Olympic gold medal winner in the 800 metres and 1,500 metres events, said she "totally agrees" with Rutherford, calling the Union Jack "iconic".

British Athletics did not respond directly to Rutherford but did retweet an Instagram post from hurdler Cindy Ofili, who wrote: "Excited to have finally received my first full British Kit!! Thanks britishathletics".

A spokesman for British Athletics said: "In regards to the new kit design, we would reassure athletes and fans that the Union Flag remains an integral part of the British Athletics team kit, and is included on the majority of items worn by the team, complemented by the words Great Britain across the chest.

"The inclusion of the British Athletics team name and logo is to help create a strong team identity for the British Athletics team.

"This follows the tradition of the vast majority of other Olympic sports, such as swimming and cycling, who have used their team name and logo on kit design for years, and creates a powerful team identity.

"This approach was also adopted very successfully by TeamGB when, in 2012, they replaced the traditional Union Flag with the TeamGB logo that resonated so strongly with the British public."